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ataraxia

[at-uh-rak-see-uh]
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noun
  1. a state of freedom from emotional disturbance and anxiety; tranquillity.
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Also at·a·rax·y [at-uh-rak-see] /ˈæt əˌræk si/.

Origin of ataraxia

1595–1605; < Latin < Greek: calmness, equivalent to atarák(tos) unmoved (a- a-6 + tarak-, variant stem of tarássein to disturb + -tos verbid suffix) + -s(is) -sis + -ia -ia
Related formsat·a·rac·tic [at-uh-rak-tik] /ˌæt əˈræk tɪk/, at·a·rax·ic, adjective, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for ataractic

sedative, opiate, ataractic
British Dictionary definitions for ataractic

ataractic

ataraxic (ˌætəˈræksɪk)

adjective
  1. able to calm or tranquillize
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noun
  1. obsolete an ataractic drug
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ataraxia

ataraxy (ˈætəˌræksɪ)

noun
  1. calmness or peace of mind; emotional tranquillity
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Word Origin for ataraxia

C17: from Greek: serenity, from ataraktos undisturbed, from a-1 1 + tarassein to trouble
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for ataractic

adj.

1941, from Greek ataraktos "not disturbed" (see ataraxia) + -ic.

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ataraxia

n.

also Englished as ataraxy, "calmness, impassivity," c.1600, from Modern Latin, from Greek ataraxia "impassiveness," from a-, privative prefix, + tarassein (Attic tarattein) "to disturb, confuse," from PIE root *dher- "to make muddy, darken."

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper